Knitting machinery



y 25, 1939' J. MORTON ET AL 2, 7,408

KNITTING I MACHINERY Filed Feb. 6, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A lnv enims M47046 by Mp. aka-4f;

July 25, 1939. J. MORTON ET AL KNITTING MACHINERY Filed Feb. 6,1939- 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 0 61 Figlg,

I 63 'Fig.10Q-&

Fig. 9.

I 4177'?! v y {3,Cnznaz Attorney v Patented July 25, 1939 xmrrme MACHINERY an... Morton and William Langston ('joliingwood Carter, Carlisle, England, assignors to F. N. F. Limited, Gloucester,-England, a British com- Application February 6, 1939, Serial No. 254,952 In Great Britain February 11, 1938 14 Claim.

This invention relates to warp knitting machines. In such machines there are a number of assemblies, which may be referred to as knit- =ting units. These units lncludethe assemblies 5 that actually perform the knitting operation, such assemblies being. the warp guide units, which comprise bars carrying guide fingers, and needle units which comprise bars carrying the knitting needles.

be ,bearded needles. They may also be hook needles arranged to co-operate with independent tongues, which serve to coverand uncover the hooks. Such tongues constitute part of a further knitting unit, which is an assembly conhas to be employed when bearded needles are used. .Ail these various units are arranged to undergo to-and-fro motion and the present invention is concerned with methods of mounting such units in warp knitting machines. in relation to the members by which-they are driven.

One object of the invention is a warp knitting machine comprising, incombination, a knitting unit mounted for to-ancl-fro movement, a driv- 30 ing member mounted for to and ro movement and a pair of resilient cross members interposed between said unit and said member to provide articulation there-between.

' Another object of the invention is a. warp knitting machine comprising, in combination, a knitting unit arranged for to-and-fro movement, a member connected to same to constrain its toand-fro movement, and resilient cross members providing the articulated connection between said member and said unit.

An advantage oi the cross members is that they eliminate the use of pin-joints and bearings which wear and then cause noise and faulty operation of the units. I

The invention further comprises the elements and combination of parts set forth in the annexed claims.

In' order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into efiect, some constructions in accordance therewith will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 3 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation showing a The needles may, for example,

A further needle bar in a warp knitting machine, together" with mechanism for driving the bar;

Figure 5 is a plan showing certain parts shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is-a part sectional elevation showing 5 a further needle bar arrangement and driving mechanism therefor in a warp knitting machine;

Figure '7 is a part sectional elevation showing mechanism for driving warp guides in a warp knitting machine;

Figure 8 is a part sectional elevation showing mechanism for driving a sinkerbar in a warp knitting machine; I v

Figure 9 is a section showinga method of at-- tachment for one end of a cross member as used in the construction shown in Figures 4 to 8;

Figure 10 is a plan of the details shown. in Figure 9;

Figures 11, 12 and 13 are sections respectively showing further methodsof securing one end of a cross member as used in the construction of Figures 4 to 8, and

Figure 14 is a plan of the details shown in Figure 13. 4

- Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3, in Fig. 1 a mass l is shown supported at the free ends of resilient cross beams or members 3, 4 intersecting at a point P and anchored to a supporting structure 2. The cross members are blade springs.

-When the member 3 is oscillated about its end anchored to the support 2, then, for small deflections, the free end moves along a path substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the member and the instantaneous centre of such movement at any'point within the range of the small deflections, lies substantially on the said axis. Similarly, for the member 4, its instantaneous centre lies substantially on its longitudinal axis. Consequently the mass I, connected to the free ends of both members or beams, oscillates substantially about the point of intersection P of members 3 and 4.

In Fig. 1 the cross members are shown intersecting at right angles, but, as shown in Fig. 2, the members may subtend other angles. need the cross members themselves actually intersect, for they may converge so that the virtual point of intersection lies on the projected lengths of the members, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, the

term "cross members herein used must be un- 50 derstood to include within its meaning members whose projections intersect. L

- The members may be of different lengths, as

shown also in Fig. 3. 7

Cross members embodying the principles de- Nor to sustain the load transmitted by them. The

cross members may be metal blade springs, and it has been ascertained that they may with advange be made of so-called plastic material such, for example, as a synthetic resin.

As shown in Fig.4, a knitting unit constituted by a needle bar 5 carrying a long series oi needles 6 is provided at each of a number of points distributed along its length, with a downwardly extending bracket-like lever i. The bar is arranged to oscillate in an arc of comparatively short radius and is driven by as many eccentric-andstrap gears i2 as there are levers Leach ec-.

centric and strap gear 92 being allocated to one of the levers i. The eccentric-straps have adjustably secured to them, instead of the usual eccentric-rods, small abutment plates H (or, if

desired, a long single plate interconnecting the several straps could be provided instead of these abutment plates).

As shown in Fig. 4, each of the levers i is connected to the corresponding abutment plate by a pair of resilient cross members 9, iii and is connected, likewise, .to a fixed bar 8 by a corresponding pair of resilientcross members 9a, Mia. The bar 8 is mounted parallel to the needle bar. As shown in Fig. 5, which is a plan to a somewhat larger scale of the cross members and associated Darts shown in Fig. 4, each complete memberyin reality, consists of two resilient blades El, ii, or mm, or 9a, 9a or Ma, Ma. The blades iii, iii have their adjacent edges very close together, and the blades 9, 9 are spaced apart at opposite sides of the blades it, iii. The blades that and 9a, 9a are similarly arranged. If desired, instead, each oi the cross members maybe a single blade, or one member of a pair may be a single broad blade whilst the other member is provided by two narrower blades each having half the breadth of the single blade and disposed on each side thereof.

The levers i, the anchorage bar 8 and the eccentric plates ii are each formed with pairs of convergent sloping faces 53 for attachment of the ends of the blades.

The arrangement of Figs. 4 and 5, therefore, includes several assemblies of cross members spaced atintervals apart over the length of the bar 5, each assembly consisting of two co-operating pairs of members 9, l8 and 9a, Illa. The arrangement is. such that the points of intersec- ,bar carrying tongues, for cooperation with the needles, driven by eccentric-and-strapv gears, whose eccentrics are on the'same shaft as the eccentrics which drive the needle bar.

Then,

the tongue bar may be arranged to oscillate about the same axis as the needle bar.

Fig. 6 shows cross members arranged for con-=- trolling the movement of a knitting unit comprising a needle bar 2i? in a warp knitting machine. The movement approximates very closely to rectilinear motion, and is derived from eccentric rods it operated by eccentric-and-strap gears (not shown) Each eccentric rod is connected by cross members I5 to a lever is fixed to the needle loar 2il, there being a lever is allocated to each eccentric rod It. The movement of each lever is controlled by a parallel linkage consisting of two arms El and Na, respectively anchored by sets of cross members l8 and H811 to the frame 2i of the machine and respectively connected to the lever it by sets of cross members i9 and 69a.

The limits of travel of the needle throat are indicated by the chain lines at B.

Here, too, a similarly supported bar, carrying tongues for co-ope'ration with the needles is provided.

In Fig. 7 the cross members shown are used in the operation knitting unit consistsing of a warp guide bar carrying guide fingers in a warpknitting machine. Shafts 2i and 22, carrying eccentrics 23 and 2d are geared together by gearwheels 25 and 26, the gear ratio being such that shaft 22 rotates at twice the speed of shaft 2i. These eccentrics carry eccentric-strap-and-rod units 21 and 28, which are respectively connected to a floating lever 3! by sets 29 and 30 of cross members. The fioatinglever 3i is suspended by cross members 32 from a lever 33 fulcrumed on a flxed shaft 39. The lever 33 is itself connected with another lever 37, secured to a rock-shaft 38, through a rod 35 and two sets of cross struts 3t and dd, The function of shaft 38 is to oscillate the warp-guide-bar 38' with its guide fintravel of the guide fingers.

The entire assembly of parts shown between i the shafts El, 22 and the rock-shaft 38 is repeated along those shafts so that they are connected at a number of points distributed along their lengths.

The arrangement of the two eccentrics 23 and 2 3 is such that the motion derived from them is that required for the warp-guide bar. As will be manifest, the desired motion could not be obtained from a single ecentric. The motion could, of course, be obtained from cam gear, and obviously the present invention can be applied to warp knitting machines to work in co-operation with cam gear; but eccentric-and-strap gear has certain advantages over cam gear, especially as regards its ability to sustain heavy loading at high speeds, and accordingly, in the example of Fig. 7, double frequency eccentric gears are chosen for illustration.

Since however the variety of motions to be derived from plural frequency eccentric gears is limited in practice, a compromise may be effected, where a more appreciably irregular motion is necessary, by using an eccentric gear, for taking a substantial or major share of the load, in cooperation with a cam gear for giving the required irregular motion. Such an arrangement will now be described with reference to Fig. 8.

As shown in Fig. 8 resilient cross members are used in the operation of a knitting unit consisting of a sinker-bar carrying, the sinkers of a warpa cam 45, which is secured to the shaft II, the

floating lever thus serving as follower to the cam.

The floating lever 41 thus serves to combine the motions imposed by the eccentric 48 and the cam 45. This floating lever is connected through a set of cross members 49 to a lever 50 fixed to a fulcrum shaft 5| that extends across the machine and has also fixedto it a number (for example,

- six) of levers 52. 'Each lever 52 is connected by a rod 54 and two sets of cross members 53 and 55 to one of an equal number of sinker levers 56 fulcrumed on another cross shaft 58. I The sinker-. bar 51 is carried onthese levers. The limits of travel of the sinker throats. are indicated by the dotted lines D.

The entire assembly of parts shown between the shafts 40, 4| and the fulcrum-shaft 5| may be repeated along the lengths of those shafts.

In the various mechanisms particularly described above, the action of the resilient cross members is noiseless and s free from wear. Further, the cross members impose no limitation on the speed of operation. Several ways of securing the ends of the cross members are shown in Figs. 9 to 14.

In the example of Figs. 9 and 10, which are a section and a plan respectively, a screw 60 passes through a clamping plate BI and through the end 62 of one of the cross members into the face63 of the part to which the end of the member is connected. The body of the screw may be a close fit in the end 62 or it may be'a loose fit, in which event the end is secured solely-by the clamping action.

To compensate for the loss of strengthdue to the'provision of a hole for the screw, the end of the cross member may be widened at one or each side. The dotted lines in Fig. 10 show the end 62 widened at both sides; and the dot-and-dash lines show a slight variation.

Alternatively, as shown in section by Fig. 11, the end 62' of the oneof the cross members may be thickened. This figure shows also that a bolt 60' may be used instead of a screw.

To locate the struts precisely a feather-andgroove or equivalent form of projection-andrecess may be provided between each end of a cross member and the face to which it is connected. In Fig. 12, which is a section,the end 62 has an inturned projection 64 which engages a recess in the fact 63, whereas in Fig. 13, which is also a section, the end 5 shown has a mid-projection 64. Alternatively or additionally, a projection such as 64 or 54' can be formed to engage a recess in the clamping plate 6|. Alternatively, a projectioncan be provided on either of or each of the face and clamping plate to engage a recess formed in the end of the cross member. Such projections-and recesses can becircular or rectangular.

in plan. Instead of projections formed as integral parts of the ends of the cross members, cylindrical or tapered pins can be fitted through the ends of the cross members and into the faces to; which the ends are connected, and in some cases these pins can be fitted also through the clamping plates.

The screws or bolts need not pass through holes in the endsof the cross members, for the clamping plates may be, widened and screws or bolts arranged at the sides of the respective ends. An example of such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the latter figure being a plan of Fig. 13.

We claim: I

1. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit mounted for to-and-fro movement, a driving member mounted for toand-fro movement, and a pair of resilient cross members interposed between said unit and said member to provide articulation therebetween.

2. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit mounted for to-and-fro motion, a member connected to said unit, a resilient beam secured at one ,end to said member, a second resilient beam secured at one end to said member and lying in a plane intersecting that of said first-mentioned beam, and adrlving member for said unit secured to the other ends of said beams.

3. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit mounted for to-and-fro movement, a driving member mounted for to-andfro movement, and a pivotal connection provided by resilient cross members secured at their respective ends to said unit and said member.

-4. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit, arranged for to-and-fro movement, a member connected to same to constrain its to-and-fro movement, and resilient cross members providing an articulated connection between-said member and said unit.

5. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit, a stationary member, resilient cross members interposed between saidunit and said member to provide a pivotal connection therebetween, and means for moving said unit I to-and-fro along the path permitted by said pivotal connection.

6. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit, a stationary member, resilient cross members interposed between said unit and said member to provide a. pivotal connection therebetween, a driving member for moving said unit to-and-fro and resilient cross members interposed between said unit and said driving member.

7. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit, a stationary member, a parallel linkage including two links, two sets of resilient cross members interposed respectively between said links and said unit, and a further two sets of resilient cross members interposed respectively between said links and said stationary member. I

8. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit, a lever directly supporting said unit, a stationary member, resilient cross members interposed between said lever and said stationary member to provide a pivotal connection therebetween, a driving member for imparting to-and-fro motion to said unit, and further resilient cross members interposed between the said driving member and said-unit to provide a pivotal members respectively at different frequencies, a

floating lever, resilient cross members providing a pivotal connection between said floating lever and one of said reciprocable members, further resilient cross members providing a pivotal connection between said floating lever and the other of the said reciprocable members, and means interconnecting said knitting unit and said floating lever whereby the to-and-fro motion of said knitposed between said floating lever and the other of said eccentric rods to provide a pivotal connection therebetween, and mechanism for connecting said floating lever and said knitting unit to impart thereto, from said floating lever, motion derived simultaneously from said eccentrics.

11. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit mounted for to-and-iro movement, a cam mounted for rotation, an eccentric mounted for rotation, a driving interconnection between said cam and said eccentric where- I by one rotates at a speed different from that of the other, followers respectively deriving to-andfro motion from said cam and said eccentric, a floating lever, resilient cross members interloosed between said floating lever and one of said followers to provide a pivotal connection aiemoe therebetween, further cross members interposed A between said floating lever and the other of said followers to provide a pivotal connection therebetween, and mechanism interconnecting said floating lever and said knitting unit to impart thereto motion derived, through said floating lever, from both said cam and said eccentric.

12. Ina warp knitting machine; in combination, a knitting unit mounted for to-and-fro movement, a driving member mounted for toand-fro movement, and a pair of resilient cross members, formed of a synthetic resin material, interposed between said unit and said member to provide a pivotal connection therebetween.

13. In a warp knitting machine, in combination, a knitting unit arranged for to-and-fro movement, a member connected to same to constrain its to-and-fro movement, and resilient cross members, formed from a synthetic resin material, providing an articulated connection behers, one consisting of relatively narrow members located respectively on either side of. :the other member providing an articulated connection between said member and said unit.

JAMES Monroe. W'IILIAM mnosron cornmewoon CAR'I'ER. 

